www.negociosnow.com
Noviembre 2015 7
Project Consultant, Chicago
Community Trust
225 N. Michigan Ave., #2200,
Chicago
Maritza Bandera is an artist,
community advocate, Posse
Foundation alumna and first
generation college graduate. She
serves as project consultant for
the Chicago Community Trust,
the region's community foun-
dation. Through her professio-
nal work and volunteer service
she is dedicated to empowering
community residents to effect
positive change in their commu-
nities.
When she is not working on
large-scale initiatives for the
Chicago Community Trust, she
is planning community events
and collaborating with others to
engage and bring residents toge-
ther for collective action. Bande-
ra is often found at a community,
block club, park advisory coun-
cil, Chicago Alternative Policing
Strategy (CAPS) or Aldermanic
ward night meetings.
In her latest collaboration,
Bandera co-chairs the education
and youth development com-
mittee as part of the Belmont
Cragin Quality of Life Plan, a
community-driven planning
process looking at opportuni-
ties to make the neighborhood a
better place for everyone.
Her passion and com-
mitment are driven by the belief
that everyone has the potential
to be the best version of them-
selves if only given the resour-
ces and support. A Chicago
native, Bandera has lived in the
Belmont-Cragin community for
almost 20 years with her family.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts
in Studio Art and Spanish Lite-
rature from Denison University
and a Master of Arts in Arts Ma-
nagement from American Uni-
versity.
Maritza
Bandera, 31
A champion
of the
community
"D
o not allow others to
control your narrative nor
that of your community. Take
responsibility for who you are and
what you choose to become."
